CRISTIANO Ronaldo is experiencing his worst goal drought in a decade.
And the ageing Manchester United talisman looks a shadow of his former self.
The temper tantrums and outbursts aimed at team-mates are starting to tarnish his glittering legacy at the Theatre of Dreams.
But the 37-year-old is also struggling under the management of interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Ronaldo is said to be among a number of ‘heavyweight’ players who think the German is out of his depth at Old Trafford.
Their relationship hasn’t been helped by Rangnick’s readiness to haul the striker off or even start him on the bench.
In truth, CR7 has looked sluggish up front in recent weeks and has failed to hit the net in six games in a row.
Qualifying for next season’s Champions League is an absolute must for Rangnick this term.
But with the race for fourth in the Premier League looking tighter than ever, maybe it’s time for drastic action to help Ronaldo find his scoring boots once again.
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LAST TIME OUT
When he hasn’t been starting among the subs, Ronaldo has most recently been deployed as a lone striker in Rangnick’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Against Southampton he was flanked by the England duo of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashord – with Bruno Fernandes in support.
But the Portugal star looked off the pace and short of fire power on the few occasions he did get himself into decent positions.
And the fact he hardly bothers to pressure opponents means United are regularly on the back foot when out of possession.
MORE SUPPORT FROM MIDFIELD
Assuming Rangnick opts to keep Ronaldo in the starting XI for tonight’s visit of Brighton, one solution could be to send in midfield reinforcements.
Fernandes could be joined by Paul Pogba in a more advanced role to form an attacking triangle with the striker.
While Fernandes’ relationship with his international team-mate has appeared strained at times, Pogba loves playing with him.
This line-up asks an awful lot of Scott McTominay in the holding role, while Rashford and Sancho might not think much of dropping back into midfield.
But throwing creative midfielders forward could help to stop Ronny looking so isolated up top.
FINDING HIM A STRIKE PARTNER
Axed boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dabbled with a 3-5-2 during his ill-fated spell in the United hotseat.
And it worked on occasion – Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani both netted up front together in that formation against Tottenham.
But Cavani is still out with a hip problem and Rashford hardly seems to be connecting with his veteran team-mate.
Perhaps Rangnick could experiment and throw Fernandes further forward as an out-and-out No10.
His touch around the box could slip Ronaldo in closer to goal so he isn’t left struggling to keep up with speedy wingers.
DROPPING BACK INTO A DEEPER ROLE
It would take the bravest of managers to suggest to Ronaldo his time as a goal poacher is over.
But Rangnick has shown he’s ready to tackle issues head on by benching the legend in recent games.
Could the elderly striker find a new lease of life dropping back as a playmaker?
With the speedy Rashford leading the line, Ronaldo could put his years of experience to use in pulling the strings behind – although his ego might not take it.
He hasn’t scored in ages and often moans at team-mates for failing to play him in – maybe it’s time for him to lay on some assists for the youngsters.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
